Joseph: A Carpenter’s Call to Holy Obedience

Curtis Gordon

Two Christmas Characters: One Divine Calling • Sermon • Submitted a month ago • Presented a month ago

Matthew 1:16

Joseph (husband of Mary)

0 ratings

· 6 views

Notes

Transcript

Invite to Matthew 1:16

In a classic 1949 episode of the radio comedy My Favorite Husband, Liz Cooper (played by Lucille Ball) is determined to have a "perfect, old-fashioned Christmas." She manages to "borrow/steal” an antique horse-drawn sleigh and convinces her husband, George, and three friends to join them for a romantic midnight ride through the snow.

It is a freezing, dark night. They are squeezed tightly into the small sleigh, the three in the back are buried under a massive, heavy wool blanket to keep out the winter chill. As they glide through the dark, the atmosphere feels incredibly sentimental to Liz and she wants to keep going while her husband is feeling the heat of having a stolen carriage wants to return it quickly. In the process Liz decides to take a vote and asks her friends in the back. One man answers, “I’d like to take a long ride, I’m enjoying holding Katie’s hand” The other man answers “how he is holding Katie’s hand too.”

Katie responds, “I don’t know what they are talking about my hands are in my pockets.”

On Perception: "We can feel very sure about what we are 'holding onto' in the dark, but the light has a way of revealing where our hands are actually placed."

Sometimes life has a way of masking what is really going on -

In many ways that is what happens to the man I want to talk to you about this morning

This Christmas Sunday, we’re stepping back from the manger just long enough to look at the people God chose to stand beside it. Joseph this morning and Mary tonight were very different—different personalities, different challenges, different roles—yet they shared one holy calling: to make room for Christ through obedient faith.

In these two messages, we will see that God’s greatest work in the world often begins not with power or position, but with willing hearts that say yes to His will. Their story reminds us that Christmas is not only about what God did for us, but what He desires to do through us.

Joseph - a man only mentioned by name 14 times in the Bible and that only in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels.

He is completely absent inthe visit from the Magi Matthew 2:11

Matthew 2:11 KJV 1900

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

No words of Scripture are ever attributed to him.

Our first meeting with Joseph is toward the end of a rather lengthy genealogical ledger.

Its fitting that Matthew the accountant would begin his book with a ledger of names.

But its more than a report - in full disclosure its a beautiful tapestry.

For fifteen verses, Matthew has been weaving together the names of kings, outcasts, heroes, and villains—all leading up to this one man.

The First instance of Joseph - is not something that would grab the attention of most people - in fact it would be easy to gloss over this guy. Matthew almost does in his ledger.

But there it is - eternally recorded - forever written - passed down from generation to generation - clear as day....

Matthew 1:16 KJV 1900

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Notice how Joseph is first identified in the Bible:

As the husband of Mary - the mother of Jesus

One of the first things we see about Joseph is that he was okay living in the shadow of others.

I grew up in a fairly large family there were six of us and I was number 5.

When I went to school I was always somebody’s brother.

When I went to church I was always “which Gordon are you”

It was common and I became very accustomed to living in that shadow

I am fascinated by the life of Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

The Early Struggle

Born into a family of German musicians, Bach was orphaned by the age of ten. He was raised by his older brother, a church organist, and spent his youth as a "poor boy" singer in choirs. He once famously walked 250 miles on foot just to hear a great organist play, showing a hunger for his craft that was fueled by more than just professional ambition.

The "Ordinary" Working Man

For the last 27 years of his life, Bach served as the cantor for St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. To the city council, he was essentially a middle-manager. His job was grueling: he taught Latin to rowdy schoolboys, directed four different church choirs, and was required to compose a brand-new, 20-minute cantata every single week. He was actually the city's third choice for the job; the council only hired him because the "better" candidates turned them down.

The Sacred Signature

Despite the "secular" stress of his job—budget cuts, difficult bosses, and the loss of 10 of his 20 children—Bach viewed his work as a direct conversation with God. On nearly all of his manuscripts, he left two marks:

J.J. (Jesu Juva {Yea-sue Yah-vah}): "Jesus, help." (Written at the beginning.)

S.D.G. (Soli Deo Gloria): "To God alone be the glory." (Written at the end.)

Forgotten and Found

When Bach died, he was not famous. He was buried in an unmarked grave, and much of his music was forgotten for nearly a century—some of his original manuscripts were even used by local butchers to wrap meat. It wasn't until a hundred years later that the world "discovered" the genius we now recognize. Bach didn't mind the obscurity of his own time, because he wasn't writing for the "sleigh ride" crowd; he was writing for an audience of One.

There is no record of Joseph ever writing music but we are told in Matthew 13:55 that his line of work was what we often translate as “carpenter” he was a craftsman - working with most likely wood, but could have been stone or metal. But Joseph was crafting for One his work was for the glory of God.

It is in this setting that Joseph a carpenter receives his call to holy obedience.

BIG IDEA

God often entrusts His greatest work to ordinary people who obey Him quietly, faithfully, and at great personal cost.

God chose Mary to bear His Son — but He chose Joseph to raise, protect, and provide for Him.

Matthew seems to be writing from the perspective of Joseph while Luke gets his information from Mary according to tradition.

And we find Matthew going right into the story:

I. THE CRISIS THAT TESTED HIS OBEDIENCE (vv. 18–19)

Matthew 1:18–19 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Obedience begins when life does not turn out the way we planned.

A. A Shocking Discovery

Mary is pregnant during betrothal.

Notice again Joseph is in the shadows - It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ - when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph.

Legally and procedurally the man would initiate the betrothal process - and Matthew is not saying that this was initiated by Mary - but he is being careful to show the virgin birth of Christ

Matthew’s emphasis on the betrothal period—the gap between the legal commitment and physical union—becomes crucial to his theological point.

In that waiting period, Mary was found to be pregnant, and Matthew was careful to protect the virtue of Mary and the supernatural origin of Christ.

By highlighting the betrothal rather than the marriage itself, Matthew establishes that Mary’s pregnancy occurred during a time when she and Joseph had no sexual contact, thereby underscoring the virginal conception.

This would have been a crisis that tested Joseph’s obedience. It would have shaken him to the core.

Joseph knows biology — this is humanly impossible.

God’s will often collides with our expectations.

B. Shattered Dreams

Joseph had plans: home, marriage, children.

God interrupts those plans with a calling he never asked for.

Calling often comes wrapped in disappointment.

C. A Righteous Dilemma

Joseph is called “just” — righteous, law-abiding.

He balances truth and compassion.

Chooses mercy over public humiliation.

Obedience is already forming before the angel ever speaks.

Transition: When obedience is tested in silence, God often speaks in revelation.

II. THE CALL THAT REDEFINED HIS OBEDIENCE (vv. 20–23)

Matthew 1:20–23 KJV 1900

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

God does not always explain everything — but He reveals enough to obey.

A. Divine Revelation

God speaks through a dream.

The child is conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Joseph learns this is God’s work, not man’s failure.

B. Definite Responsibility

“Take Mary as your wife.”

“Name the child.”

Joseph is asked to:

Accept shame

Assume responsibility

Embrace a mission bigger than himself

Obedience here costs reputation, comfort, and control.

C. Redemptive Realization

This child fulfills ancient promises.

His name: Jesus — Jehovah saves.

Joseph’s shattered dream becomes God’s saving plan.

God turns personal tragedy into redemptive purpose.

Transition: Obedience is proven not by what we hear — but by what we do.

III. THE COMMITMENT THAT PROVED HIS OBEDIENCE (vv. 24–25)

Matthew 1:24–25 KJV 1900

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

True obedience is immediate, costly, and complete.

A. Immediate Obedience

“Joseph did as the angel commanded.”

No delay. No negotiation.

Obedience is the truest measure of faith.

B. Lifelong Obedience

He marries Mary:

When Mary and Joseph married, Joseph became the legal father of Jesus and therefore had authority to name the child (Matt. 1:24–25).

Note that Joseph’s genealogy calls Joseph “the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (v. 16). Luke 3:23 say, “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,...” and that phrase can be translated “as accounted by law” or “as written in the family register.”

During His ministry, Jesus was called “the son of Joseph” by the people, but they didn’t understand that Jesus came into the world through a miraculous birth (4:22; John 1:45; 6:42; see also Matt. 13:55).

By taking Jesus as his own son, Joseph gave Him a legal name, the name God had commanded—Jesus (1:25; Luke 1:31; 2:21).

Joseph also provided the care and protection both Mary and the baby needed in those dangerous times.

He took them down to Egypt when King Herod was seeking to kill Jesus, and when they returned to Israel,

he took them to Nazareth to live.

Whenever God gave directions to Joseph, he listened and obeyed.

Four Times Joseph is given documented dreams or visits and each time he obeys - OH GOD GIVE ME SUCH AN OBEDIENT HEART!!!

Dream of Angel of the Lord visit to take Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:18-24)

Dream where an angel appears to Joseph and tells him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

After death of Herod Joseph has another dream where the angel of the Lord appears to him and tells him it was safe to return to Israel. (Matthew 2:19-20)

When he returns to Israel he hears that Herod’s son was reigning over Judea he hesitates to go there and is again warned by God in a dream not to go there - so he moves to Galilee in a town called Nazareth. (Matthew 2:21-23)

As the Lord Jesus grew up, Joseph taught Him his trade and He was known as “the carpenter” (Mark 6:1–3).

That passage also tells us that Mary and Joseph had other children (see Luke 8:19–21; John 7:5).

There is no record that Joseph the carpenter ever preached a sermon or did a miracle, but as a faithful Jew, a loving husband, and godly parent, he served the Lord and glorified Him.

(C Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ's Birth: An A to Z Guide (Joseph the Foster Father of Jesus)

He names the child Jesus.

Continues faithfully in the background.

Joseph obeys — then disappears.

God values faithful obscurity.